Local News in Brief : Building Ban on Portion of PCH

The Hermosa Beach City Council approved a 45-day building moratorium for two 6-block stretches along Pacific Coast Highway.

The ban on new commercial and residential developments on both sides of Pacific Coast Highway from the city limits on the south to 8th Street and from Pier Avenue to 24th Place, was approved by a 4-to-1 vote Tuesday.

The area is zoned as a multi-use corridor that allows both commercial and residential developments. The mixing of such uses has created problems as commercial developments have begun to spill into residential neighborhoods.

While the moratorium is in place, the Planning Commission will study the area to find ways to ensure the integrity of the residential neighborhoods while maintaining commercial developments. Rezoning is a possibility, city officials said.

Exceptions to the moratorium are: projects already submitted to the Planning Department, minor additions with costs that do not exceed $20,000; vacant lots and the rebuilding of structures destroyed by natural disasters.